He says we are staying at Motel 6 and dining at Denny’s....The TR. (AKA – Birthday surprises for Terri) - Complete 10/3
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pamcarey · 10-02-2010, 01:16 PM

Wow! What an awesome trip and an awesome hubby to plan it all!! Can't wait to read about V&A's!

pflamingo · 10-02-2010, 01:23 PM

OMG!!!!! WL Honeymoon Suite (I WANT that tub!) and V&A's. I am sooooooo jealous!!

BTW, I refer to those "things" as "the nth anniversary of my 39th birthday." (insert appropriate number) And I lie about it.

**DrDolphin** · 10-02-2010, 01:54 PM

We woke up, took our time getting up and moving (even missed the free breakfast offerings in the lounge) and hopped in the car for a planned day at EPCOT. We drove around to the main entrance and walked back to meet Ward and Sandra. They were in line for Soarin', but we were HUNGRY and opted to head into the World Showcase to find some lunch. We decided to get some lunch at the Tangerine Cafe. We love the food there. While we walked back, I saw new Beauty & the Beast topiaries in France.

Then we took a photo by the fountain.

We headed to Morocco, and entered the restaurant less than 5 minutes after it opened. So our lunch was very FRESH and YUMMY!!

Chris' chicken and lamb schwarma platter.

My lamp wrap

With sides of lentils and cous cous.

While we were eating lunch, W&S stopped by on their way to Via Napoli. I told them to give me a review when they were done.

Chris and I started a walk around the World Showcase Lagoon. I saw that they were beginning to work on the Eat to the Beat Concert venue -

We saw the drum and fife band - although I realized (as did Ward later) that the songs they perform are not of the period they are dressed for - for instance, the National Anthem was a poem written in 1814 and not put to music until the turn of the 20th century.

We came across a band in Mexico -

We also stopped in Norway to register for a Kim Possible mission. I have never done one before and decided I wanted to try it.

We walked past La Hacienda, but opted not to go in, since we had JUST had lunch.
We picked up our Kimmunicator and headed to Mexico for our mission -

We also played around a little bit
After we finished our mission and saved the world, we turned in our Kimmunicator and headed back toward Italy, hoping to run into Ward and Sandra. We also stopped a Photopass photographer and had our photo taken.

And not too much later - we saw Ward and Sandra ahead of us -

The ears were TOO CUTE!!
We met up with them, and decided to do a little touring in Future World. Ward had heard a rumor that one of the two Innoventions pavilions offers free wiFi, so we went search -

We played some of the games in Innoventions East, including the trash game.
Then we went to Mission Space where the four of us took a trip to Mars, and then while walking back toward Innoventions West, we stopped for photos in front of the fountain.

I also saw the bubble trash can (a first).

Then we headed to Test Track - Ward, Chris and I rode, Sandra chose to sit it out.

There were no photopass picks -

And then we headed to Club Cool - Ward wanted to look around - and Chris tried Beverly - I think his face says its all.

After Club Cool - we headed to Space Ship Earth - the last stop before Chris and I needed to head out to go and get ready for our dinner at V&A.

Here is all four of us on the SSE globe after the ride.

Chris and I left EPCOT and headed back to Wilderness Lodge to de-park and primp and preen for our evening.

Next - a Wonderfully Romantic birthday dinner.

**DrDolphin** · 10-02-2010, 02:42 PM

After primping and preening, we left the WL and drove to the Grand Floridian. We told the guard at the gate that we were dining at Victoria and Albert's. He told us that valet was free and to head there. We valeted the car, and headed into the resort. We started with a little bathbomb shopping at Basin White and then, because we still had some time, we took some photos and sat in Mizner's listening to the band while I drank a cranberry juice.

First Chris took photos of me

And then one of the CM's from V&A offered to take a photo of us together.

After we entered, we were greeted by Israel Perez, the Maitre D'Hotel. He told us that our table was being prepared and that we would be seated with a good view of the harpist.

The view looking into V&A's from the lobby.
We were seated at our table,

We were introduced to our serving team, Sherry and Jack. They have been working together for 22 years and have been married for 17 years - and were phenomenal!!

We started with filtered water to drink (no Orlando tap water here) and a glass of Martinelli's sparkling apple cider. Chris and I can't drink alcohol, so sometimes we feel limited at the higher end restaurant. We told Sherry we didn't drink alcohol and she offered Martinelli's! We drank this at our wedding, and we discovered it on DCL's Palo.

After our drinks, we were brought the Amuse-Bouche (Happy Mouth). This was to open our palette with sweet, sour and salty tastes (since your mouth has these three tastebuds).

From right to left (clockwise) - Salmon Flan in an eggshell, lobster salad with caviar accent, salmon mousse with salmon caviar and peeled grape tomato with pesto.

When we were seated, the hostess brought a stool for my purse and our basin bag, so it didn't have to sit on the floor. I am told that is good fung shui.

For our first course, Chris and I opted for the Minnesota Elk Carpaccio with Olives, Artichokes and Chorizo Vinaigrette.

It was served with crispy breadsticks to put the carrpacio and dry olive oil. Very yummy!!

Our next course was the fish course. Chris and I both chose the Citrus-poached halibut with warm verjus vinaigrette and peeled grapes. It was served in a tomato broth, microgreens and onions and celery.

While we were eating, the harpist came out and began to play - including songs from "Phantom of the Opera".

We also had three bread courses. I forgot to take a photo of the first bread course, but it was a warm french baguette with fresh churned Vermont butter. The second bread course was an herb brioche with herb butter.

It was SO rich, very cakelike.

The next course Chris and I chose different things. I opted for the Brentwood Corps soup with petite crab casserole, and Chris opted for the Roulade of Ocala rabbit with pistachios and apricots.

Our last bread course was a multigrain bread - the recipe of the grandmother of the Grand Floridian's master pastry chef. It was served with a rich creamery butter.

The next course was the main entree -
I opted for the Japanese Kurobuta pork tenderloin and belly with baby beets and sherry-bacon vinaigrette. Chris has the Niman ranch lamb with spring asparagus and minted jus.

The next course was meant to clean the palette - Chris opted for the cheese course of four cheeses - Colston Bassett Stilton, Southern Belle Chevre, Gouda Reypenaer V.S.O.P. and Barber's cheddar with accompaniments. I opted for the white chocolate gelato with tableside white chocolate shavings.

Sherry saw me taking photos of our food, and offered to take a picture of Chris and I at the table.

The last course of the evening was the dessert course. I opted for the Vanilla bean creme brulee, while Chris got the Caramelized Banana Gateau.

After that meal - I could not eat another bite. BUT Sherry and Jack brought out a package with a little loaf of breakfast bread, and a box of chocolates and cookies to eat later (we have not eaten them yet), a long stemmed red rose for me and our commemorative menus. We thanked Sherry and Jack for a wonderful evening and memorable meal and we stopped for more photos before we left.

Next - Rip Roaring Fun with Miss Roxy at WCC!!

**DopeyGirl** · 10-02-2010, 03:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DrDolphin

Now, you know I am a picky eater so I am not sure that I could "do" V&A's . . . but if every course could be the bread and dessert, I'd do it in a heartbeat! YUM!

Is that spun sugar propped on top of Chris' dessert?

Pinkyt177 · 10-02-2010, 03:38 PM

Oh that just looks amazing, congrats, 40 at V & A. How wonderful!

mcc0313 · 10-02-2010, 04:07 PM

Love your room at the WL. Glad you had some fun at DHS with your friends before meeting up with Chris and heading to dinner. Your meal at the FF looked delicious, I have often been tempted by the FF as Jasmine loves fish and seafood but since I do not eat it I have been sceptical but after seeing your choice I think I would be very happy with a meal there

Looks like a fun day at Epcot topped off with a wonderful meal at V&A, you and Chris looked wonderful, the pictures from the GF are great. What a wonderful selection at V&A, I love the little stool for your purse and bags. Looks like a magical birthday celebration.

PamelaK · 10-02-2010, 04:30 PM

I really want to read your TR now, but I'm at work and don't really have the time. SO I am just subscribing for now. I will catch up tonight.

**DrDolphin** · 10-02-2010, 04:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DopeyGirl

Is that spun sugar propped on top of Chris' dessert?

Jack referred to it as "cotton candy for grown ups".

lexiemom · 10-02-2010, 05:17 PM

You two look absolutely stunning for your dinner! Great photos!

MickeyMAC · 10-02-2010, 06:31 PM

Terri, your trip report is fantastic. Love your pictures. I do believe Chris is a keeper.

Mom of three 1971 · 10-02-2010, 06:46 PM

Fantastic dinner at V&As! Thanks for posting exactly what the amuse bouche was! We had it on our last visit and for the life of me could not remember! You looked beautiful, and Chris, mighty handsome!
Love the suite at WL...soaking in that tub must be soooo relaxing!
So glad that your V&A's night was all you dreamed it would be!

clio · 10-02-2010, 08:52 PM

You guys looks wonderful all dressed up for V & A's. the food looks yummy in your pictures but I don't know if I'd like anything besides the bread and desserts. I glad you had a fun day at EPCOT with your friends.
Liz